Tire-tread.



M. NACE.

TIRE TRE'AD.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 29. l9l5.

Patented May 15, 1917.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

WITNESSES:

' INVENTOR Amonsyn-S M. NACE.

TIRE TREAD. APPLICATION FILED NOV.-'29 1915.

Patented May 15, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- WITNESSES:

5 y E N R o w A stiff MAIBELLE WAGE, 0F PIEDMONT, CALIFOEEWA.

Tran-Tannin.

Specification of LettersI'atent.

Patented May 1115, 1291?,

Application filed November 29, 1915. Serial No. 63,943.

To' all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LiMABELLE NACE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Piedmont, in the county of Alameda and State of California, 'have invented a new and useful Improvement in Tire-Treads, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to a tire tread and armor for vehicle tires.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple, substantial, cheaply manufactured tread and armor for vehicle tires, particularly of the pneumatic type,

constructed to surround the tire likea flexlble ring and to be secured so that it may be quickly applied or removed by inflation or .deflation of the tire. Another object of the invention is to construct the tread and armor sections to permit removal or renewal of parts as Wear or other conditions may de mand. Further objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention consists of the partsand construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of the tire tread.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, showing its application to a pneumatic tire.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross section of the tire tread.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged-bottom view of thetread section. r

Fig. 5 is a cross section ing the tread applied means'for securing-the same against movement' on the tire.

Fig 6 is a plan view showmg a modification.

Referring to the drawings in detail A indicates in general, the tire tread and armor forming the subject matter of the present application; 2 a standard form of pneumatic tire to which it is applied; .and3 the of the tire, show,-

of a tread member,

clencher-whic h secures the tire to the wheel.

The tread is adapted to be applied to any SlZ 6 tire and isin this instance shown as constructed of metal plates 4 hingedly connected, as at-5 to permit the greatest flexibility possible when passing over irregularities on the road surface. Each tread member consists of a plate or holder 4 and-outer tread members 6 and an inner tread member and also showing Each 7. They are preferably constructed of rubber and are secured in the plate or holder in the following manner:

' Each plate is provided with an opening 8, of suitable shape through which the raised portion 9, formed on the tread member 6, projects to form a Wearing face on the tread and also to prevent contact of the plate with the road surface. The face of the tread projection 9 may be provided with projections or nobs 10 of any suitable shape to produce a non-skid surface and also to increase tractive efficiency.

The base portion of the tread member 6 is extended, as at 11 and the side edges are rounded or rolled, as at 12 to reinforce and member. The'side edges of the plate are flanged and rounded, asat 13 to receive the reinforced edges '12 of thetread member, thus securing same against removal through the opening 8. The lower tread member 7 inasmuch as its outer edges are slightly concaved, as at .14 to receive the lower rounded reinforced edges 12. The face of theinner tread member 7 or that side which contacts I with the tire 2 is preferably depressed, as

indicated at 15 to receive a pair of spring arms or clips 16 which are pivotally mounted, as at 1'7 in hinges formed on' the lower side of the plate or holder 4. Each clip 16 is bent to, form two arms, a short arm 18 which projects into a pocket1 9 formed on the lower face of the tread member 7, and

a long arm 16 which rests in thedepression 15. The outer end of arm 16 is turned perfect grip or look between the same is in this manner secured.

The hinges 5 made on the end of each link are offset with relation to each other, so that strengthen the base portion 11 of the tread forms a lock for the outer tread member 6,

' at right angles, as at 20 to permit it to be they interlock when assembled, a pin 24: is

then placed through the alined hinges, thus forming'a perfect connection between each plate or holder, which not only provides the mechanical strength desired, but also permits independent movement of one link with relation to another about the pivotal or hinge-like connection formed.

The holders or plates 4 are preferably constructed of steel and the separable tread members secured in same of rubber. These materials may, however, be changed to suit conditions and local demand. Metal links or holders 4 may also be added or taken out, thus making it possible to fit any size tire and any pressure can be had to secure the tread members on the tire by applying the I tread when the tireis perfectly flat or partially deflated. The pressure caused by 1nflation of the tire will, as before describedcause the face of the tire to thoroughly embed ltself in the grooves and vacuum cups, formed on the lower or inner side of the tread members, thus forming the desired or necessary grip between the tire and tread.

By referring to Fig. 5, it will be seen that two cllp-like spring arms 25 have. been provided; these are only applied in certain instances for the purpose of securing the tread against accidental removal with relation to the tire.

A. grip between arms 25 and the tire is formed by pivotally mounting, as at 26 roughened shoes 27; the hinges of these shoes may either be corrugated or provided with teeth 28 which engage the side of the tire. These hinges act as a means for insuring a more thorough grip between the shoe and the tire; this can be seen by referring to Fig. 5, as the tread section pulls on arm 25 in the direction of arrow a, it will be seen that the teeth 28 engage the face ofjthe tire and will consequently pull the shoe inwardly in the direction of arrow b. Similar shoes 29 may be applied under each tread member, if desired.

"The actual shape of the tread projections 9 may be varied. One shape is shown in Fig. 1 and another in Fig. 6. These figures show-that a great variety or' shape of projections may be formed.

In operationwith the tread applied, it will be seen that the cupslO, or tread projections 6 are the only parts of the tread which come in contact with the road surface, all wear is thus taken off the tire proper, as this does not contact with the road surface.

The .onlyexpense will be the replacing from time to time of the outer tread sec-' follows:

The flexible tread ring is first removed deflating by forcing the reinforced edges 12 out of the flanges 13 on the holder. A new tread section 6 is then inserted and the same inner tread section 7 replaced and locked in position byarms or clips 16. The inner tread members 7 are subject to little wear and are practically speaking everlasting; their only function being to form a grip between the tire proper and the tread ring and to serve as cushion members or spacers between the plate and thetire.

While the tread is here shown as constructed of a plurality of hinged plates or links 4, it is obvious that various changes may be embodied in the construction.

The materials and finish'of the several parts of the device are otherwise such as the judgment and experience of the manufacturer may dictate. I

I wish it understood that various changes in form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the .appended claims, and that I do not wish to limit myself to the specificdesign and construction here shown.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patcut is l. The combination with a tire, of a plurality of connected plate members surrounding the tire, a tread member projecting outwardly through each plate and removable by inward movement, a cushion member interthe tire 2. Arms '16 are then outer worn tread section 6 is then removed posed between each plate and the tire, and

tread portion, and said insert held against the tire by said encircling band or ring, and

spring clips carried on the inside of the sections engaging the inner sides of the inserts.

3. A tire tread comprising, in its entirety, a sectional body, each section of which consists of a holder plate having an opening, a flanged outer tread member pro ecting through the opening with its flange abutting the plate, and an inner tread member arranged immediately next to the outer tread member in direct contacting relation therewith. r

4:. A tread section comprising a plate, a 13 1,22e,eee g cushion member removably carried thereby, carried by the terminalsicf the arms between .a spring clip hinged to one side of the 'plate the latter and the tire.

' for swinging across the cushion member to In testimony whereof I have hereunto set hold the latter to the plate, and a keeper on 5 the opposite side of the plate with which the witnesses.

clip engages when operatlve.

'5. Incombination with a tire and an en- I circling tread band, of lateral clip-like s f spring arms carried by the band and embrac- Tumor: W. BELL,

'10 ing the sides of the tire, and roughened shoes STANLEY J. SMrrrI.

MABELLE NACE.

my hand in the presence of two subscribing 

